We miss you, Mamaw

Oh my goodness, I can't believe it's been almost a month since I have posted anything! And it has been such a big month!

Sadly, Bryan's Mamaw passed away on February 23rd. I had been very sick the two days before and Bryan decided to work from home that day to help me with Jill. Erin called mid morning with the news. After a three month battle with cancer, Mamaw passed away at home that morning. We were so sad and especially for Papaw, Bryan's Uncle Chris, and Erin who had so faithfully taken care of Mamaw. Mamaw really was the matriarch of the family. She had a serene demeanor that belied a strong will and she was the type of person who made you feel special because she was so kind. We loved her very much and were happy that she was able to visit with Jill three times before she left us. I'll always remember how hospitable she, Papaw and Chris were, cooking enormous stick to your ribs meals that we ate together, crowded in the kitchen.

We left for Columbus Saturday morning and stayed until Thursday afternoon. During the trip Jill weaned herself. She had been working up to it, only nursing two or three times a day. And those nursing sessions were BRIEF. She was wriggly and so interested in everything around her that she hardly sat still. So on Sunday morning, I think the new surroundings of the guest room at Tim and Raean's house sealed the deal. Jill pushed me away, hit me in the face and cried when I tried to nurse her. I was stunned and after two more tries, I gave up and cried myself! I tried every day until we returned but Jill was done. She quit nursing at 11 months, I had really wanted to reach a year. I think this is just one of many times in the future that this little girl is going to reject my plans.

That week, Jill also learned to wave. She waved at her Grammy before a nap, waving her entire outstretched arm up and down in the air. The hand and fingers weren't really involved. I hope that Jill was a small comfort to Patty. Despite the sad and busy days we managed to enjoy the time spent with family. Bryan's family really is the best. We are looking forward to visiting Papaw soon, in June to coincide with Josh's graduation from the Police Academy, if not sooner.

The Monday after we returned from Columbus, Jill took her first crawling steps. Now she is crawling everywhere and pulling herself up onto her "cage", the sofa, and the coffee table. When she pulls herself up onto the coffee table it is to bite down on the edge of the wood, so we have a couple little teeth marks in the side. What a wingnut!

Jill cut two new teeth this Wednesday at Mom to Mom (of course!). That makes a total of seven teeth (Four top, three bottom) and I think number eight (bottom) is not far behind. Today Jill was feeling under the weather, she has a cold and cried through her afternoon nap. When we got her up, she sat in my lap for almost an hour looking at books, and then sat with Bryan for almost as long. The poor baby just wanted to be held. I sat next to Bryan with Jill in his lap and said, "Awww" and she would put her head on Bryan's shoulder, then I would say "Awww" again and she would rest her head on my shoulder. She did that over and over again.

Finally, Jill reached a milestone today that I have been waiting waiting waiting for. We have been keeping appointments with Early Intervention to work on Jill's speech development and self care. I think I have said in other posts that she won't feed herself but opens her mouth in the presence of food like a baby bird waiting for me, Bryan or Nana to make the deposit.

This week Jill started offering me her Gerber puffs. Instead of just picking them up and dropping them on the floor she would reach out her chubby hand and try to put them in my mouth. I would pretend to eat them and then encourage her to put them in her mouth. We tried the Gerber wagon wheels yesterday and today. The wagon wheels are a little bigger and Jill had an easier time bringing them to her mouth to take bites. Then today I put the puffs on her tray and, voila! She ate them herself! I felt so triumphant I teared up a little. But I didn't make too big of a deal of it. I said, "Great job, Jill! Want some more?" She picked them up hand over hand putting them in her mouth like it was no big thing. Hallelujah!

Rest in peace, Mamaw. We love you and know you are with your Savior in heaven.